Sealing systems

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a stopper comprising a plug and a pierceable membrane, the plug including a cavity between a pierceable membrane and a lower opening. The pierceable membrane and the cavity can form a tortuous path that reduces interactions between the contents of the container and the ambient environment. The cavity can be bounded by a plastic insert disposed within the plug. The plastic insert can include insert walls, the lower opening, and an insert flange. The pierceable membrane can be bonded to an upper surface of the insert flange.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sealing system for a container, comprising:
 a plug configured to conform to an inner wall of a neck of the container, a first cavity extending through the plug, the first cavity being coaxial with the plug; 
 an insert disposed within the first cavity; and 
 a membrane over the insert, the membrane sealing a top opening of a second cavity formed within the first cavity between the insert and the membrane; 
 wherein a top surface of the plug comprises a recessed shelf abutting a top opening of the first cavity; and 
 wherein the insert comprises an insert flange, a bottom surface of the insert flange contacting a top surface of the recessed shelf, and a top surface of the insert flange is bonded to the membrane. 
 
     
     
       2. The sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a wall of the second cavity tapers between the top opening and a bottom opening of the second cavity. 
 
     
     
       3. The sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the insert is secured to the plug within the first cavity using an adhesive, restraints formed in an outer wall of the insert or an inner wall of the first cavity, or a compression fit between the outer wall of the insert and the inner wall of the first cavity. 
 
     
     
       4. The sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the membrane comprises an upper metal layer and a lower polymer layer bonded to the insert. 
 
     
     
       5. The sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the membrane comprises a laminated metal film or a metallized film. 
 
     
     
       6. The sealing system of  claim 1 , the sealing system further comprising:
 a cap configured to compress the insert flange against the recessed shelf to seal the container. 
 
     
     
       7. The sealing system of  claim 3 , wherein a restraint is attached to or integrally molded into the insert. 
     
     
       8. The sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plug and the insert comprise different materials. 
 
     
     
       9. The sealing system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the plug comprises an elastomeric material. 
 
     
     
       10. The sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the insert comprises plastic. 
 
     
     
       11. A stopper comprising:
 a plug configured to conform to an inner wall of a neck of a container, the plug comprising (i) one or more walls forming a cavity having an upper opening and a lower opening and (ii) a recessed shelf abutting the upper opening, where the upper opening is larger than the lower opening, 
 a pierceable membrane covering the upper opening of the cavity, where the pierceable membrane comprises a material that is different from one or more materials of the plug; and 
 a plastic insert within the cavity, the plastic insert comprising an insert flange; 
 wherein a bottom surface of the insert flange contacts a top surface of the recessed shelf. 
 
     
     
       12. The stopper of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the pierceable membrane is bonded to the plug. 
 
     
     
       13. The stopper of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the pierceable membrane is bonded to an upper surface of the insert flange. 
 
     
     
       14. The stopper of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the plastic insert is secured within the plug by an adhesive, restraints formed in an outer wall of the plastic insert or an inner wall of the plug, or a compression fit between the outer wall of the plastic insert and the inner wall of the plug. 
 
     
     
       15. The stopper of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the pierceable membrane comprises a laminated metal film or a metallized film. 
 
     
     
       16. The stopper of  claim 11 , wherein the plastic insert defines a second cavity that tapers between the pierceable membrane and a lower opening. 
     
     
       17. The stopper of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the plug comprises an elastomeric material. 
 
     
     
       18. The stopper of  claim 14 , further comprising a restraint is attached to, or integrally molded into, the insert.